The Calm Before Everything Changes

“Just lucky…”

Looking down at Qin Jianhe’s reply, Ye Zhiqiu smiled and shook his head.

A child probably wouldn’t believe that, let alone him.

When these shoes were first released, Ye Zhiqiu had wanted them badly.

He had been thirteen or fourteen, the age for obsessing over such things and competing with others. Tao Ruoqing always indulged him materially, so he’d begged for a pair.

Ye Zheng had even stayed up all night trying to get him a pair, but couldn’t even get close.

A senior student at his school had managed to get a pair somehow. He wore them to school every day to show off, making Ye Zhiqiu green with envy.

But pride kept him from admitting it to Jin Baobao and Li Shaojun. He’d pretended not to care, though inside he was seething, wanting to fight the senior.

Looking back, he found it funny.

The shoes had tormented him for a long time. He’d wanted them so badly but couldn’t have them, while someone else wore them to school so easily.

Eventually, the senior stopped wearing them. He’d grown out of them. And the shoes had become prohibitively expensive online.

Ye Zhiqiu had given up.

Now, years later, someone gave him a brand-new pair and said it was just luck.

How could he believe that?

Finding someone who had them, in the right size, unworn, and willing to sell after all these years… all of it was difficult.

He had seen the shoes in Qin Jianhe’s closet just days ago. To get them so quickly… the cost must have been significant.

He looked at the shoes for a long time.

Then he put them back in the box, opened his suitcase, and made space among his things.

He would keep them.

He sent another message. “Thank you. I really like them.”

Then he posted in the group chat, telling Jin Baobao and Li Shaojun he was safe, and went to shower.

* * * *

He’d slept on the plane and felt alert. No jet lag.

After his shower, he dressed casually, put on a hat and sunglasses, and went out.

New York was still cold in early March, but the hotel was near the convention center. He walked.

Shows hadn’t started yet, but the halls were busy with set-ups and rehearsals.

He checked Q.L.’s venue and went to look around.

As an international luxury brand, Q.L. had a large space. He studied the layout and went backstage.

He was thinking about staging when Wang Ru called about dinner.

“I’m at the Lincoln Center,” he said. “If you’re tired, I’ll bring you something.”

“I slept all morning,” she said. “I’m fine.”

He heard Gao Yang in the background. “Young people have more energy.”

Ye Zhiqiu laughed. “Should I bring you something?”

“We’ll come to you,” she said.

He gave them directions and went to meet them.

Gao Yang was curious. “What’s it like inside? Are there shows?”

“Yes. If you’re not too tired, you can look around.”

They went to a nearby restaurant.

After ordering, Ye Zhiqiu asked, “When are the model rehearsals?”

They’d had rehearsals already, but they’d need one or two more with the full production.

“Tonight,” Gao Yang said, checking his schedule. “And a bigger one tomorrow.”

“Will you come?” he asked.

“I’ll be there.”

“The other teachers aren’t coming,” Wang Ru said. “It’ll be cold. We can handle it.”

Most designers had seen enough. These rehearsals were about adjusting to the new venue.

Ye Zhiqiu shook his head. “Zhou Hui and Wei Tingjin haven’t done a show this big. Especially Zhou Hui. I want to be there.”

* * * *

In China, Qi Xin brought a drunk Jiang Nan home.

Jiang Nan had been sick in the car. The driver tried not to react.

At Jiang Nan’s house, Qi Xin helped him out.

“You think I’m pathetic, don’t you?” Jiang Nan slurred.

Qi Xin soothed him.

“You know what it means to work with the Qin family brands?” Jiang Nan asked.

Qi Xin knew a little. Q.L. had many designers. Only a few of their designs were produced. The rest went to the Qin family’s mid-range brands. Their quality was high.

Collaborating with them would boost Qiyun’s visibility and sales.

“There are solutions,” Qi Xin said. “Your father and the old Mr. Qin are friends. Can’t he help?”

Jiang Nan pushed him away. “You want me to beg that old man?”

His stare was cold. Qi Xin shivered.

He rang the bell. An old housekeeper came out.

“Sorry,” Qi Xin said. “He’s drunk. I can’t find his keys.”

The housekeeper helped Jiang Nan inside.

As Qi Xin turned to leave, Jiang Nan grabbed his wrist.

“How are things with Ye Zhiqiu? You haven’t caught him yet?”

Qi Xin was uncomfortable, but he said, “It’s good. He cares about me now.”

Jiang Nan’s eyes lit up. Qi Xin felt worse.

He knew Qi Xin liked him. Why was he happy about this?

“Let’s go inside, young master,” the housekeeper said. “It’s cold.”

Qi Xin pulled his wrist free and got in the car.

Jiang Nan was still yelling. “Get him! Do it!”

The car still smelled of sick. Qi Xin rubbed his forehead and gave the driver his address.

Jiang Nan had talked all night, but Qi Xin hadn’t understood much. He was just there to listen.

At least they’d settled business before drinking.

At home, he checked his email, then sent Ye Zhiqiu a message.

[Qi Xin: Xiaoqiu, how’s the jet lag?]

Ye Zhiqiu didn’t reply for a long time.

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: Fine. Why are you messaging so late?]

[Qi Xin: I was afraid to bother you. I waited until now.]

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: Go to sleep. I’m busy.]

Qi Xin hesitated. He’d planned to tell him everything, but now he thought he should hold back.

What if Ye Zhiqiu said no?

[Qi Xin: There’s a show here with some openings. I want to use your designs. I think they’ll impress people.]

Ye Zhiqiu was in the elevator. He saw the message and smiled.

This was the time for shows. He’d never seen one with unfilled slots. Qi Xin thought he was naive.

It must be a gift from Jiang Nan. A gift meant a threat. A threat aimed at him.

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: Which brands?]

[Qi Xin: Small ones. Nothing big.]

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: No. My designs won’t be shown with random brands.]

[Qi Xin: Jinqi will be there. I didn’t want to say. I thought you’d say no.]

Ye Zhiqiu laughed. Qi Xin called.

“Please, Xiaoqiu. I don’t want to miss this. I didn’t contact Jiang Nan. I went through the organizers.”

He paused. “I won’t see him at the show. I’ll send someone else.”

He was desperate. “I want Qiyun to succeed. I want to be worthy of you. Don’t you want that too?”

Ye Zhiqiu sighed.

“Just don’t see him.”

“I won’t. The patterns are being made. The sample should be ready soon. The client is waiting.”

It was a small brand, Xin Ge. They made good products but lacked design. They sourced from smaller factories.

If Qiyun worked with them, it could be a good path.

“Fine.” Ye Zhiqiu hung up.

* * * *

He rested for a while, then had dinner with Wang Ru and Gao Yang and went to the convention center.

The models were there. The director was working on the lights. He nodded at Ye Zhiqiu.

He knew the designers, the looks, the models.

When the lights were ready, he jumped off the stage and walked over.

“You came to watch?”

“Yes. My models are new to this. I’m worried.”

The director looked at Zhou Hui and Wei Tingjin. “Good choices. Where did you find them?”

“Online.”

“I’ve been doing this for years. I have a good eye. I’ll help them. They’ll be great.”

Ye Zhiqiu thanked him, but he wasn’t relaxed.

Wei Tingjin was fine. It was Zhou Hui.

She was surrounded by famous models, all familiar with each other. Her confidence was gone.

She came to him. “I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize to me. Apologize to yourself.”

She was quiet.

“You’ve worked hard,” he said. “You earned this. The director thinks you have talent. If you can’t trust yourself, you’re letting yourself down.”

Her eyes were red.

“It’s okay to be nervous,” he said. “Everyone starts somewhere. Remember what we talked about? Treat the international stage like a mall.”

She smiled. “I’m the prettiest girl at the mall.”

“Good.”

Her demeanor changed.

Gao Yang was impressed.

“She can’t keep going back and forth,” Wang Ru said.

“She won’t.” Ye Zhiqiu relaxed. “Q.L. was overwhelming. She got past that. Now she’s surrounded by idols. It’s normal to feel insecure again.”

“Will she get past it?”

“If rehearsal goes well, she’s halfway there. The rest will come when she shines on stage.”

Rehearsal began. The runway was long. The music started.

They were professionals. The first run was good enough. The second was better.

Zhou Hui’s turn at the end was still awkward.

The director was about to speak, but Ye Zhiqiu stopped him and whispered in his ear.

“One more time,” the director said.

This time, Zhou Hui’s turn was smoother. Even without the costume, Ye Zhiqiu could imagine the skirt flying behind her.

He smiled.

The director asked, “Will you come tomorrow?”

“No.” Ye Zhiqiu’s eyes were bright.

* * * *

Days passed. The sample for Qi Xin’s designs was ready.

He sent photos to his clients. The response was positive.

Xin Ge sent a contract. The orders were substantial.

Qi Xin was excited.

That afternoon, Jiang Nan met Qi Xin at the convention center to choose models.

Afterward, they went to a new restaurant owned by Yu Renzhi’s family.

Jiang Nan wanted to drink, but Qi Xin refused. Ye Zhiqiu’s first show was in a few hours. He wanted to watch.

The restaurant was crowded. Even with Jiang Nan’s name, there were no private rooms. They sat by the window.

“Any news from the Qin Group?” Qi Xin asked.

“Busy. My father will take me to see Old Qin soon.”

“You don’t like him?”

Jiang Nan didn’t. Because of him, Nie Fengjun had divorced. Qin Jianhe had left. His father had sided with Qin Xusheng for resources, losing touch with Nie Fengjun.

And Qin Xusheng had seen his feelings for Qin Jianhe. He wanted Qin Jianhe to marry a wealthy heiress. He had warned him.

He didn’t want to see him.

Qi Xin patted his shoulder.

They didn’t see the car park across from them, or Qin Jianhe watching from inside.

He knew Ye Zhiqiu still saw Qi Xin. He didn’t understand why.

For a moment, he wanted to take a picture, to show Ye Zhiqiu who Qi Xin really was.

But he didn’t. Ye Zhiqiu’s show was in a few hours. He wanted him to focus.

He sent a message.

[Qin Jianhe: Good luck today.]

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: Thanks. I’m ready. Leaving soon.]

[Qin Jianhe: Did you eat?]

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: Milk and bread.]

He smiled.

[Qin Jianhe: I miss you.]

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: I don’t have time to miss you.]

He felt better.

Another message.

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: Which part misses me?]

[Qin Jianhe: …I want to hold you.]

[Qin Jianhe: Ye Zhiqiu, should we try?]

He had been at his mother’s. She had asked about him.

“What’s happening with Xiaoqiu?” Nie Fengjun had asked.

She still followed fashion. She knew who he was. She was happy.

“The same.”

“You said you weren’t sure if it was like or want. I have a question.”

He waited.

“All those people who liked you, who cried when you rejected them… did you want them?”

No. He hadn’t.

“Then it’s like.”

He deleted the message before sending it.

He had almost forgotten Ye Zhiqiu’s conditions.

[Qin Jianhe: No. A normal hug. I want to wrap you in my coat. So no one can see you.]

[One Leaf Knows Autumn: You’ll need a very long coat. But I’m a designer. I’ll make it for you.]